Son of legend vs. grandson of legend

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Ryan Hosegood, starting QB for the Vincent Massey Trojans with his grandfather, CFL Hall of Famer Ken Ploen, a Blue Bomber legend. (WAYNE.GLOWACKI@FREEPRESS.MB.CA)

They grew up surrounded by Winnipeg Blue Bombers history and both Ryan Hosegood and Mike Grant will be part of it once again today.

Hosegood, the 15-year-old grandson of Bombers' star quarterback Ken Ploen, who led the club to four Grey Cup titles, and Grant, the 53-year-old son of the legendary Bud Grant, who coached those Grey Cup teams, will both be on the field at Canad Inns Stadium today in the Can-Am Challenge exhibition games.

Hosegood is the starting quarterback for the Vincent Massey Trojans of the Winnipeg High School Football League. At 3 p.m. they'll face the Eden Prairie Eagles of Minnesota -- one of the state's most successful high school football programs -- which is coached by Mike Grant.

At 5:30 p.m., the 2009 WHSFL ANAVETS Bowl finalist Oak Park Raiders will meet Eden Prairie's first-team players.

"That definitely is very cool to be able to hear stories from my grandfather. He's had only three coaches that really guided him to where he was and one of those was Bud Grant," said Hosegood, whose mom Carol Ploen-Hosegood is Ken's daughter.

"With him telling me stories about playing in Grey Cups, I always knew how special that was. He used to give me pointers (about playing quarterback) but now he just leaves that up to my coaches. He really likes to come out to games, watch us play and stay part of the game."

Mike Grant moved to Winnipeg in the spring of 1957 when he was just two months old. He spent the first 10 years of his life here while his father coached the Bombers from 1957-1966.

His vivid memories of those days include locker-room visits with Bombers greats like Ploen, idolizing Herb Gray and being part of a Grey Cup parade, riding in a Rolls Royce with Gray.

"It feels like home, coming back. It's a thrill, like a once-in-a-lifetime type of thing and it's going to be a special feeling to be on that field where my dad coached and coach a game in that stadium. I do remember the Bombers games and so many great things happening," said Mike Grant. "I remember my dad being part of all those great runs the Bombers had. What's even more special is my dad will be down on the field with us."

Bud Grant and Ploen led the Bombers to Grey Cup wins in 1958, 1959, 1961 and 1962. Ploen, who played for the Bombers from 1957-1967, and Bud Grant will do the coin toss prior the first game.

"My grandpa is definitely really excited to get that feeling back (that he has around former Bombers teammates and coaches)," Hosegood said. "It's a great thing to do at the stadium before they tear it down (if or when the new stadium is built)."

Hosegood, who earned Vincent Massey's starting quarterback job as a grade 10 player in his first year in the program, said he is thrilled to be playing in such a unique game. "My grandpa always talks about Bud Grant and the great impact that he had. Having the chance to play on the same field as a team coached by his son gave me even more excitement," Hosegood said.

"It's going to be a great experience for our team and Oak Park to play against the American players, who are very experienced and come from a really special football culture."

Rumours abounded that the Oak Park-Eden Prairie game would count in the conference standings for Eden Prairie but Mike Grant said that is not the case.

"It won't count in our conference standings or section playoffs," said Grant who has coached Eden Prairie to six state titles in his 18 years there. The team, in a community of about 75,000, draws crowds of about 6,000-8,000 to home games and will open the 2010 season on Sept. 10.

"I suppose the Oak Park game will be part of our (overall) record. This is a non-conference game but it really doesn't have any impact on our season, other than being a great experience for our players."

ashley.prest@freepress.mb.ca

THE Can-Am Challenge today at Canad Inns Stadium comprises two games with all proceeds going to the Winnipeg High School Football League:

3 p.m. Vincent Massey Trojans vs. Eden Prairie Eagles

5:30 p.m. Oak Park Raiders vs. Eden Prairie Eagles

Eden Prairie, a school of about 3,000 students, has brought 70 of its 105 varsity players. The first game will feature mostly reserve players with the starters suiting up in the second game.

Canadian rules will be used -- the first time for the Eden Prairie players.

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition September 3, 2010 C4